The city of Busan will conduct a six-week special investigation from December 1 to January 9 to ensure the safety of popular winter foods.

The operation focuses on uncovering illegal and unsanitary practices across manufacturing and sales sites, aiming to provide residents with safer dining options during the cold season.

The city will concentrate inspections on facilities that produce ingredients for winter snacks such as hotteok, steamed buns, and dumplings as well as restaurants and delivery outlets specializing in soups, stews, and hot-pot dishes like pork soup, bone broth, seafood stew, and kimchi jjim.

Priority targets include establishments with past violations, suspicious hygiene conditions, or those identified through consumer complaints about labeling or advertising.

Investigators will look closely for false or misleading origin labeling, violations of food handling standards, the use of unlabelled ingredients, and the use or sale of products past their consumption date. On-site checks will be supported by laboratory testing to strengthen oversight.

Any violations uncovered will result in strict enforcement, including criminal charges and notifications to relevant authorities.

Penalties range from up to seven years in prison or a 100 million-won fine for fraudulent origin labeling, to substantial fines and imprisonment for breaches of food hygiene or labeling laws.

Citizens can report suspicious food safety issues to the city’s special judicial police at 051-888-3091 or 3096.

Fleet Chinhae

USAG Daegu